Boys 'stable' after McDonald's shooting

Two teenagers who were shot in a McDonald's restaurant were in a stable condition in hospital today, police said.

One of the youths was described as "critical" last night after being shot in the chest in the fast food outlet in Brixton, south London.

His friend was shot in the arm and has remained in a stable condition since the incident, which took place at around 5.30pm yesterday at the junction of Brixton Road and Coldharbour Lane.

It is unclear whether the teenagers, both believed to be 17 years old, were customers at the restaurant.

But a McDonald's spokeswoman said the youths had "not been queueing" at the till at the time of the incident.

Amanda Pierce said: "Officers have reviewed the CCTV footage and confirmed that the two victims had been popping in and out of the restaurant."

Police said they were still investigating the shooting and would reveal more information at a press conference in Lambeth at 12.30pm today.

Detectives from Operation Trident, which investigates black gun crime, were at the scene last night and appealed for witnesses to come forward.

Detective Constable Luis Martinez said: "The venue was very busy at the time of the shooting and those present - including families with young children - were shocked and terrified by this violent attack.

"It is believed the weapon was a handgun."

The gunman, who fled after the attack, was described as black and approximately 6ft 1in.

Two police vans and 10 uniformed officers manned the cordon on the corner of Acre Lane and Brixton Road last night, as forensic officers searched for evidence in the restaurant.

The suspect was said to have run down Rushcroft Road and into Saltoun Road, heading towards Railton Road.